Antioch Unified, teachers agree to new contract

ANTIOCH -- The teachers union and school district here both overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract this week that provides raises and an increase in the district's contribution to health insurance premiums.

About 95 percent of Antioch Education Association members approved the agreement, said Robert Strickler, the union's president. Upon hearing that, school trustees unanimously approved the contract Wednesday, thanking teachers for their patience.

Teachers would receive a 3 percent raise, effective Jan. 1. Meanwhile, Antioch Unified's overall contribution to medical benefits will increase by about 1 percent, meaning it will now pay $845 for an employee-only plan, $1,050 for a two-party plan and $1,200 for a family plan per month.

The two sides negotiated for over a year, including a marathon session on Dec. 17 that started at 8 a.m. and ended 4 a.m. the next morning. Terms were reached later that afternoon.

The agreement leaves the door open to renegotiate salary and benefits the next two school years.

Antioch teachers lobbied for a raise the past few months, saying they have received only one 1 percent salary hike in the past six years, while medical costs went up in January.